LED ZEPPELIN REUNION SHOW FINALLY TO BE RELEASED Led Zeppelin has been posting teasers on its Facebook page indicating that the band may finally be releasing on DVD its 2007 reunion concert at London's 20,000-seat O2 Arena, and the U.K.'s Sun newspaper says it will be released worldwide on Nov. 22, just in time for Christmas. The paper quotes a source saying that guitarist Jimmy Page has been working on the DVD for months.

Don't look for any more Zep reunions. In an interview last year with Rolling Stone, singer Robert Plant, said, "I've gone so far somewhere else that I almost can't relate to it."

The concert was the band's only full show since the death of drummer John Bonham in 1980. Shortly afterward, the remaining three members, Page, Plant and bassist-organist John Paul Jones, announced that they were disbanding.

The surviving trio reunited three times to perform brief sets, in 1985 at Live Aid in Philadelphia with Phil Collins and Tony Thompson on drums; in 1988 at the Atlantic Records 40 th Anniversary Concert with Bonham's son Jason filling in; and in 1995 at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, again with Jason Bonham. The younger Bonham also played the 2007 reunion concert.

The O2 concert was notable for the band's inclusion into its 16-song set of two songs it never performed in their entirety before, "Ramble On," from 1969's "Led Zeppelin II," and "For Your Life," from its 1976 LP, "Presence."

The concert was officially billed as The Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert in honor of the founder of Atlantic Records, who died the year before.

NEIL YOUNG'S BRIDGE SCHOOL BENEFITS SET Neil and Pegi Young announced the lineups for their 26 th Annual Bridge School Benefit concerts on Oct. 20 -21 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, outside San Francisco, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The lineup both days includes Young and Crazy Horse, former White Stripes singer-guitarist Jack White, Guns N' Roses, The Flaming Lips, Sarah McLachlan, and Lucinda Williams. Other performers include k.d. lang and The Siss Boom Bang, young hotshot blues guitarist Gary Clarke, Jr., Foster the People, and Steve Martin & The Stone Canyon Rangers. Tickets go on sale Friday.

TOWER OF POWER'S CONTE HAS LEUKEMIA, NEEDS HELP Bruce Conte, longtime guitarist for R&B funksters Tower of Power, has been diagnosed with leukemia, according to Pollstar. He was recently hospitalized for three days in L.A., where he underwent two bone marrow biopsies and other test.

The band announced that Conte, who initially joined the group in 1972 and played on its biggest hits, including "What is Hip?" in 1974, can use the public's help because he doesn't have any medical insurance. Go to http://www.towerofpower.com/news-and-updates/ or to the Friends of Bruce Conte Facebook page for information on how you can help.

Tower of Power plays with The Average White Band on Friday at the L.A. County Fair and at Humphrey's in San Diego on Saturday. The band has a solo gig at the Kern County Fair in Bakersfield on Sept. 20.

PETE TOWNSHEND HONORED BY NAMM The Who's guitarist Pete Townshend will receive the Les Paul Award at the 2013 NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) convention, on Jan. 25 at the Anaheim Hilton, according to the organization. The award, named after the pioneering electric guitarist and inventor who died in 2009 at age 94, was created 'to honor individuals or institutions that have set the highest standards of excellence in the creative application of audio and music technology." Among the previous winners are Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young and Sting.

On Nov. 1 in Sunrise, Florida., The Who begins the first of two legs of an upcoming American tour that will see the band performing its 1973 rock opera, "Quadrophenia," in its entirety. They kick off the second leg the Honda Center in Anaheim on Jan. 28, the Staples Center in downtown L.A. on Jan. 30, and the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego on Feb. 5.

DAVE STEWART TALKS EURYTHMICS MUSICAL Former Eurythmics guitarist Dave Stewart took a moment while promoting his new album, "The Ringmaster General," to tell Reuters that he's planning to produce a musical using his former band's songs. "I have this idea of putting them all together in a theatrical piece in the not too distant future," he said.

Regarding a reunion with his Eurythmics partner, singer Annie Lennox, he says, "We're not talking about one right now, but never say never."

VINCE GILL GETS HOLLYWOOD STAR Country singer-guitarist Vince Gill received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, reports The Boot. Among those in attendance were his wife, contemporary Christian pop singer Amy Grant and Reba McEntire. "I moved here as a 19-year-old kid, as an aspiring musician," Oklahoma native Gill noted of his L.A. experience. "It was, by far, the luckiest thing I eve did. I came out here with a banjo and a guitar to sunny southern California to try to make it." It wasn't long inlongbefore he hit stardom.

Initially, a bluegrass player, early onGill played in Ricky Skaggs' band, Boone Creek and with well-known fiddler Byron Berline before joining Rodney Crowell's group, The Cherry Bombs. In 1978, as a 22-year-old, he achieved national fame when he joined established country rockers Pure Prairie League. Soon, he was leading the group.

JOE SOUTH DIES Country and pop music singer-songwriter Joe South died of an apparent heart attack at his home in Buford, Georgiaa., at age 72, reports NPR. South wrote himself two major hits, both songs that looked at society, "Games People Play," that won the Song of the Year Grammy in 1970, and later that year, "Walk a Mile in My Shoes," that went to No. 3 on the adult contemporary singles chart.

As a songwriter he penned hits for others, including "Down in the Boondocks," that hit No. 9 in 1965 for Billy Joe Royal; "Hush' that Deep Purple made its first hit, in 1968, peaking at No. 4; "Yo-Yo," a No. 3 single in 1971 for The Osmonds; and Lynn Anderson's 1971 international smash, "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden," that also reached No. 3 here.

South was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1979.

As a session guitarist, South can be heard on the hit version and the electric version of Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence," Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools," Tommy Roe's "Sheila," and throughout Bob Dylan's classic, "Blonde on Blonde" album.

DOROTHY MCGUIRE DIES Dorothy McGuire, of the singing McGuire Sisters that recorded a string of hits in the '50 s and '60 s that are now considered standards, died at her home in upscale Paradise Valley, Arizona., at age 84, according to the "Today" show. Her son said that she had suffered from Parkinson's disease for a long time. Dorothy was the sister in the middle, flanked by older sister Christine and younger sister Phyllis, who both survive her.

Among the trio's Top 10 hits were their second single, "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight," in 1954; the No. 1 smash, "Sincerely," in 1955; and another No. 1, "Sugartime," in 1957. The sister's were the subject of an HBO movie in 1995, "Sugartime." They last reunited in 2004 for a PBS special, "Magic Moments: Best of '50 s Pop," that still receives constant airings.

The McGuire Sisters were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2009.

LYNYRD SKYNYRD, ZZ TOP AND DEEP PURPLE COVERED A new 2-CD, "Lynyrd Skynyrd & ZZ Top As Played By." features the two band's songs covered by the likes of Molly Hatchet with Charlie Daniels, Canned Heat, Black Oak Arkansas, former McCoys' leader Rick Derringer, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, Pat Travers, The Outlaws, The Tubes' Fee Waybill, Great White, Blackfoot, and Sky Saxon & The Seeds, with former Jefferson Airplane drummer Joey Covington, Johnny and Edgar Winter's Winters Brothers Band, and Walter Trout, former guitarist for Canned Heat and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers.

Deep Purple is feted on the import CD, "Re-Machined: A Tribute to Machine Head," the British hard rocker's 1971 LP that went to No. 1 in their native U.K. and No. 7 here, staying on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart for 118 weeks (two years and four months). Participating artists include guitar wizards Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Carlos Santana, Joe Bonomassa, as well as Iron Maiden, Chickenfoot, Metallica and The Flaming Lips.

NEKTAR'S COVERS CD English prog rockers Nektar, who originally formed in Hamburg, Germany in 1969, released its first cover's album, "A Spoonful of Time." The quartet got considerable help on the project from some British rock royalty, including Yes and Asia guitarist Steve Howe, former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman, Cream and Blind Faith drummer Ginger Baker, Moody Blues keyboardist Patrick Moraz, Zombies and Argent keyboardist Rod Argent, Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice, as well as past and present members of Marillion, Tangerine Dream, Hawkwind, King Crimson, Dream Theater, and The Mahavishnu Orchestra.

Among the songs Nektar and friends cover are Rush's "Spirit of Radio," The Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like an Eagle," Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home," The Rolling Stones' "2000 Light years From Home," The Doors' "Riders On The Storm," Neil Young's "Old Man," Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here," former Spooky Tooth leader Gary Wright's "Dream Weaver," and Toto's "Africa," featuring that band's former singer and keyboard player Bobby Kimball.

NEW RELEASES Among the recently released albums, digital reissues and deluxe box sets are "Tempest," the 35 th studio album from Bob Dylan in his 50-year recording history; "Calling Me Home," the 15 th studio effort since 1984 from country singer Kathy Mattea; "Live at Mandel Hall 1957," from iconic folk singer Peter Seeger; "Away From The World," the eighth studio CD from The Dave Matthews Band; "La Futura," the 15 th studio album since 1971 and the first in nine years from that little 's 'ol band from Texas, ZZ Top; a 2-CD, "Privateering," the seventh official studio album since the demise of Dire Straits from that British band's leader, Mark Knopfler; and "Live at Rockpalast 1978" from Ian Dury & The Blockheads; "Love this Giant," from former Talking Heads top head David Byrne & indie art rocker St. Vincent; the soundtrack to the 1954 operetta, "Romberg's The Student Prince," from legendary opera singer Mario Lanza; and "Patti Page Sings Country & Western Golden Hits," that includes Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line," Hank Locklin's biggie "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" and "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You," that was a hit for Red Foley, Gene Autry, Tex Ritter, Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters, Rick Nelson and that Elvis Presley took to No. 13 in Canada in 1957.

Also, "Elysium," the 11 th studio CD since 1986 from British electronic dance pop duo Pet Shop Boys; "The Time Jumpers," the self-titled debut from Vince Gill's side project; "The Magic Door," from former Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson and his band, The Brotherhood; "New To This Town," the solo debut from Kix Brooks, who spent two decades in the country duo, Brooks & Dunn; "Fight or Flight," the seventh studio album from Agoura Hills rockers Hoobastank; "Over With You," the 15 th studio CD from Americana folkie Steve Forbert; "NOFX," the self-titled 12 th studio effort from the veteran L.A. punk band; "Rock & Roll Is Good for You," a collection of demos from 1973-1975 from The Knack; "My People - The Complete Show," from Duke Ellington; the soundtrack to "The Master" from Radiohead guitarist Johnny Greenwood; and a bunch of remastered rereleases from The Jefferson Airplane spinoff band Hot Tuna.

CD/DVD packages include "Don McLean: American Troubadour;" British prog rockers Curved Air's "Live Atmosphere;" an import, "The Essential Kitaro," from the Japanese New Age multi-instrumentalist; "Live From Dixie's Bar & Bus Stop" from country music outlaw Jerry Jeff Walker; "Live At The U.S. Festival 82 & 83" from The English Beat; and "Thank You Les," from Les Paul's Trio and Les Pallo featuring Keith Richards, Steve Miller, jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and Slash.

Single CD packages containing two Christmas albums from artists are coming out and include those from pianists Ferrante & Teicher and actor/comedian/orchestra leader Jackie Gleason "Original Album Series," discount ($19.99 on Amazon) box sets includes 5-CD boxes from former Impressions leader Curtis Mayfield, Linda Ronstadt, The Monkees, smooth jazz singer Anita Baker; Texas metal band Pantera; country rocker Dwight Yoakam, The B-52's, and ZZ Top. Also, the 15-CD "Singles Box Set," from metal band Dio; a 3-CD import, "Essential ABBA;" a 5-CD import, "Barcelona," from Queen's late singer Freddie Mercury and opera diva Montserrat Caballe has just been released.

NOW PLAYING Classic acts from the '50 s, '60 s and '70 s continue to perform. Here's what one of them is doing.

Ian Whitcomb rode to our shores as part of the British Invasion in 1965, and eventually moved here, to the Pasadena area. The native of Woking, Surrey, England, about 20 miles southwest of London, scored his first Top 40 hit in the U.S. with a song he wrote, "You Turn Me On," that made it all the way to No. 8 (his first charting 45, "This Sporting Life," peaked at No. 100 a few months earlier). His falsetto on the tune had the girls, who screamed at all things British Invasion, really going nuts. Mae West (he later produced an album of hers) covered the song the following year.

Whitcomb was a popular guest on all the '60 s teen music shows, including "Shindig," "Hollywood A Go-Go," "Shivaree," "Where the Action Is," and "American Bandstand." He opened for The Beach Boys at the Hollywood Bowl that year, and toured the U.S. on a bill with his fellow Brit Invaders The Rolling Stones and The Kinks, as well as Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs.

The singer, who mainly plays piano and ukulele, and whose main musical love is the ragtime jazz music of the Roaring Twenties, followed his big breakthrough single with "N-E-R-V-O-U-S," that reached No. 59 and got some airplay on the nation's AM rock and roll radio stations.

His final hit was big on the West Coast, but nowhere else. In 1966, he got tons of airplay for his take on a novelty song written in 1916, "Where Did Robinson Crusoe Go With Friday on Saturday Night."

Whitcomb, now 71, is a Renaissance Man. He's written a couple dozen books, including one published earlier this year, "Ian Whitcomb's Ukulele Sing-Along," he's taught music on the university level, and he acts.

He was a semi-regular on the comedy TV series "Ave 43," as Dr. Hurtem. As if that's not enough, he leads or is a member of countless different musical groups that perform throughout southern California and he performs solo shows.

The Ian Whitcomb Big Band is playing at the Homestead Museum in the City of Industry on Sunday, from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., and he'll be performing at legendary cartoon voice June Foray's 95 th birthday bash, a public show, on Sept. 27 at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.

He'll also host a discussion on the ukulele on Sept. 18 at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena and sign copies of his latest book, "Ukulele Heroes: The Golden Age." He may even be coerced to perform some of his hits.

Admission is free.

Steve Smith writes a new Classic Pop, Rock and Country Music News column every week. It can be read in its entirety on www.presstelegram.com. Like, recommend or share the column on Facebook.